Santorini Sights

The famous volcano of Santorini is the most famous sightseeing on the island. It stands in the middle of the sunken caldera, right opposite the coastline of Santorini. It is located on the island of Nea Kameni and many tour boats go there from Fira. On the neighboring island of Palea Kameni, there are the hot springs, which are said to have curative properties.
Not to miss: Volcano and Hot Springs boat tour

The Caldera of Santorini is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders of Earth. The volcanic explosion that occurred here more than 3,500 years ago changed forever the topography of the Mediterranean coast.

The sunset of Santorini is probably the most famous in the world and cannot be missed. It is gorgeous from every part of the island, but the sunset in Oia is one of the best things to see during your holiday. Thousands of couples in love come to Santorini every year to see the sunset or get married with this lovely background.

Standing side by side on the picturesque caldera cliffside & overlooking the Aegean Sea, the blue-domed churches of Oia are easy to spot & they have been captured countless times, as one of the most charming landmarks in Oia.

The Minoan Town of Akrotiri is one of the most important ancient sites on Santorini and one of the famous things to see. It is located on the southern side of the island and the town was found almost intact, covered with layers of ashes. Scientists believe that this town was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Santorini in about 1,650 BC. After many years of being closed down, the site reopened to visitors in April 2012.

Ancient Thera is located on top of a cliff, near Kamari. The road there is a bit difficult and windy, but this is one of the must-see sights in Santorini. It is situated between two beautiful beaches, Kamari and Perissa and also offers amazing views over the Aegean sea.

The Archaeological Museum of Santorini is located on Fira, the capital village of the island. It hosts sculptures, ceramics, statues, small vases and findings from the ancient cemetery of Thera. The exhibits may not be as impressive as the exhibits of the Prehistoric Museum but it is still worth a visit.

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is located in Fira and exhibits findings from the prehistoric times that have been excavated from Akrotiri, the Ancient Thera and other areas on Santorini. Exhibits include ceramics, marble statues, Minoan frescoes from Akrotiri, tools, and weaponry.

The Castle of Oia, also known as Castle of Saint Nikolas, dates back to the 15th century & was built during the Venetian occupation period of the island as a defensive fortress.

Walk about 20 minutes west of Imerovigli and you will reach Skaros, a strange rock where the remains of a Venetian Castle can be seen. The rock has a great view of the caldera.

The small chapel of Theoskepasti is one of the lesser known churches in Santorini, but it is as charming as the more popular ones. Its amazing location ensures panoramic views of the sea.

Thirassia is a small island just opposite Oia, frequently connected to Santorini by tour boats. This is a remote place with untouched nature and few inhabitants.

The famous windmill of Oia is one of the top signature landmarks in Santorini, adding an extra charm to the picturesque landscape & appearing in thousands of pictures, taken by visitors from all around the world.

Tomato-based products are the second most famous thing produced in Santorini after wine and many varieties of tomato plants are known to flourish on the island's volcanic soil! The Tomato Industrial Museum "D. Nomikos" is located in Vlychada, allowing you to find out more about the fascinating history of tomato production in Santorini.

The Monastery of Prophet Elias is located on the highest peak of Santorini, at an altitude of 565m. It is a great destination for trekking and gives a gorgeous view of the island. It also hosts a small ecclesiastical museum.

At this hidden spot, you will discover one of the most photographed churches in Oia, which can easily be spotted thanks to its twin bell towers & 3 white domes.

The Catholic Cathedral is very close to the Orthodox Church. It is located in the Catholic quarter of Fira Santorini and distinguishes for its vibrant colors. The church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The bell tower was rebuilt after the terrible earthquake of 1956 that hit the island.

Named after its distinctive bell tower, the church Three Bells of Fira is a Catholic church dedicated to the Dormition. It dates back to the 18th century, although various modifications have occurred throughout the years and the church had to be restored after the earthquake of 1956.

Located on the hiking path to Skaros Rock in Imerovigli, a few meters below Grace Hotel, Agios Ioannis Chapel is also known as Agios Ioannis o Katiforis (= going downhill), because of the small church's location.

Agios Stylianos is a Catholic Church in Fira, built on the edge of the cliff & overlooking the caldera, the whitewashed town & the volcano. It is dedicated to Saint Stylianos of Paphlagonia & the celebrations for the saint take place on November 26th.

On your way to Oia’s castle, you will certainly notice the small church of Agios Nikolaos as it has a blue dome & a stone-built facade which make it stand out. Overlooking the sea, the church offers excellent views of the Agean, combined with the castle ruins.

Located on the highest spot of Akrotiri, this Castle is actually the center of the village. It was built in the Medieval times by the Venetians to protect the island from invasions.

Standing on the edge of the caldera in Fira, the whitewashed Church of Agios Minas (also known as Katofirianos) can be found at the southern part of the old town, overlooking the volcanic landscape & the sea.

Situated in the south part of Santorini, the Castle of Emporio and Goulas Tower are two worth-seeing attractions because of their great architecture. They were built in order to protect the locals from the pirates’ attacks, while the Tower used to serve as a storehouse for the cultivators’ crops in the past too.

Anastaseos church (or Church of the Resurrection of the Lord) is one of the famous blue dome churches on the island. You have probably seen hundreds of pictures with it before even visiting the island.

This is one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece, as it was constructed in 1892. Its position on the southwestern side of the island gives an amazing view of the caldera and the Aegean Sea.

The actual Heart of Santorini is a recently discovered attraction and this hidden spot has been attracting increasing amounts of attention! It is a heart-shaped hole in a rock, through which you can see the Aegean Sea, the sky and the volcano.

Bellonio Cultural Centre is housed in a beautiful building in Fira, the capital village of Santorini. It hosts a library with rare editions of the 18th and the 19th century and it frequently organizes art exhibitions, lectures, musical concerts, theatrical performances, and other events.

Megaron Gyzi is where the Cultural Centre of Thira is housed. The exhibits include old maps, engravings, old photos of Santorini and a library with rare editions. In summer, many cultural events are housed there.

The Nautical Museum of Santorini is located in Oia, the most picturesque village on the north of the island. It is located in an elegant mansion and houses nautical instruments, shipping documents, aquarelles, parts of ships and a small library.